Josh McGuire slams ‘embarrassing’ Cowboys after third consecutive loss

The Cowboys have registered three consecutive losses to start their 2021 NRL campaign, and Josh McGuire is not happy about it.

Josh McGuire speaking on Fox League.

The North Queensland Cowboys have registered three consecutive losses to start their 2021 NRL campaign, and Josh McGuire is not happy about it.

The Gold Coast Titans cruised to a comfortable 44-8 victory over the Cowboys in Sunday evening’s Queensland derby in Townsville, with Corey Thompson and AJ Brimson both recording doubles.

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It was the most points Cold Coast has ever scored in an NRL game.

Titans second-rower David Fifita put on a masterclass on the left edge, contributing four offloads, 11 tackle busts, 178 run metres and a try.

David Fifita of the Titans.

Speaking to Fox League after the loss, McGuire vented his frustration with his team’s consistently poor showings.

“We just have a soft underbelly at the moment,” McGuire said.

“We just have no steel under tough circumstances. We just fold and it is becoming embarrassing.

“There is some glimpses of some attacking footy there, but then we just undo it all with just poor effort.

“It’s frustrating mate, it’s so frustrating. We have got to find something.

“We have been saying the same f***ing thing … sorry, same stuff for three years.

“I’m over it, and we have got to fix it. It is just not good enough.”

"It's been the same stuff for three years, I'm over it." 👀 pic.twitter.com/ROObhQ0tZn

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 28, 2021

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McGuire has played 37 games for North Queensland since signing for the club in 2019.

Speaking to reporters after the defeat, Cowboys coach Todd Payten said his players lacked “resilience and drive”, promising to swing the axed ahead of round four.

“We are at that point at the moment,” Payten said.

“At the moment we are going inside our own head, we are not communicating with our teammates and it’s putting our team under pressure. It’s a behaviour that is ingrained in us at the moment.”

Penrith great Greg Alexander told Fox League’s Big League Wrap: “They were miserable; they looked disinterested.

“There’s something wrong up there.”

Still searching for their maiden win under Payten’s guidance, the Cowboys will face the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday afternoon.